History, Opinions, Imaginings

Packers Top Rookie: 1922

During the Packers’ second year in the National Football League, 16 of the 27 players who appeared for the team were league rookies. For ten of the 16 rookies, 1922 would be the full extent of their NFL careers. These 10 one-year pros were linemen Pahl Davis, Rip Owens, Joe Secord and Carl Zoll; backs Tommy Cronin, Eddie Glick, Gus Gardella and Biff Taugher; and ends Doc Faye and Rex Smith. (Reference sources differ as to whether Zoll actually ever appeared in a league game.)

Of the other six rookies, three would spend just this one season with Green Bay before continuing their NFL careers elsewhere. Tackle Peaches Nadolney moved on to Milwaukee; back Dutch Lauer would play with Rock Island, Toledo and Detroit as well; and end Pat Dunnigan would play later for Minneapolis and Milwaukee.

Three rookies would play more than one season in Green Bay. Back Stan Mills stayed two seasons and center Wally Nieman two. However, 5’10” 210-pound guard Whitey Woodin would spend 10 seasons with the Packers, including the 1929-31 championship years. Obtained from Racine in mid-October for tackle Jab Murray, the Marquette alumnus was a solid performer on both sides of the ball and is a member of the Packer Hall of Fame; Whitey Woodin was the Packers’ top rookie in 1922.